Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Where to Watch: BSNO
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Magic +4, Pelicans -4; Over/Under: 209 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Magic +4, Pelicans -4; Over/Under: 209 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Magic +4, Pelicans -4; Over/Under: 209 points
Season Record
Orlando Magic: 44-31 (1st place, Southeast Division)
New Orleans Pelicans: 45-30 (2nd place, Southwest Division)
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Recent Form
Orlando Magic: 7-3 last 10
New Orleans Pelicans: 6-4 last 10
Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Analysis
The Magic are entering this game with a 44-31 record overall and they are 17-19 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers in their last game. Franz Wagner led the team in points in that game with 20 while Wendell Carter Jr. was next on the team with 17 points. Jalen Suggs led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Wendell Carter Jr. led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 47.4% from the field, 34.4% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 110.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 108.2 PPG against them. The Magic have an ATS record of 48-27 this season and their O/U record is 32-42-1.
The Pelicans are entering this game with a 45-30 record overall and they are 21-16 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns in their last game. Zion Williamson led the team in points in that game with 30 while Trey Murphy III was next on the team with 21 points. CJ McCollum led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Jonas Valančiūnas, Dyson Daniels, and Larry Nance Jr. each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 47.2% from the field, 40.7% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.5 PPG against them. The Pelicans have an ATS record of 41-33-1 this season and their O/U record is 32-42-1.
Magic vs Pelicans Prediction
The current betting odds have the Pelicans listed as a 4 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Pelicans have looked really good in their games this season with their 45-30 record overall which has them in a playoff spot in the West right now. They have looked good on their home court this year with their 21-16 home record and right now they are in the last playoff spot in the West before dropping down into the play-in spots. Meanwhile, the Magic have looked good in their games this season with their 44-31 record overall which has them in a playoff spot in the East right now. They have looked really good in their games lately with their 7-3 record in their last 10 games, but they haven't looked as good in their road games this year. They have a 17-19 road record this season as they have struggled a lot more to win those road games and they have also lost some of their momentum with 2 losses in a row now. The Pelicans have also lost 2 games in a row, but they have also been hot lately with their 6-4 record in their last 10 games. The Pelicans are going to be looking to bounce back on their home court after the way they played in their last one against the Suns and this is a game where they can take advantage of the Magic who have struggled on the road all season. This is a good opportunity for the Pelicans to break out of their funk. The best way to place a bet here is on the Pelicans to cover the spread in this game.
Magic Pelicans Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Wednesday, April 3, 2024 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Pelicans 117 Magic 109.
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NBA Betting Trends
Orlando Magic: 15-7 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 8-4 ATS after a close win by 3 points or less. 27-15 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins. 7-3 UNDER in a road game where the total is 200 to 209.5. 8-3 UNDER after a win by 6 points or less.
New Orleans Pelicans: 0-4 ATS revenging a straight up loss vs opponent as a road favorite. 25-18 UNDER as a home favorite of 6 points or less. 24-7 UNDER after one or more consecutive overs. 12-5 UNDER after playing 4 consecutive home games.
Key Injuries
Orlando Magic: C. Houstan (SG) Ques Wed - Ankle.
New Orleans Pelicans: J. Alvarado (PG) Ques Wed - Oblique. B. Ingram (SF) Mid April - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“This is a win we're going to learn from, and how we have to respect and approach every single night when we come out.” - Jamahl Mosley after his team’s win against the Trail Blazers in their game on Monday.
“He hit some shots that we gave him, and he also hit some tough shots. We have to do better. I mean, there’s no excuse to get 50, put on you twice (in a season). Quite frankly, we were soft guarding him. We just had a soft mentality when it came to being physical with him, and he’s a great player, and you can’t allow him to be comfortable." - Willie Green after his team’s loss against the Suns in their game on Monday.
Starting Lineups
Orlando Magic
PG Jalen Suggs
SG Gary Harris
SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
New Orleans Pelicans
PG CJ McCollum
SG Trey Murphy III
SF Herbert Jones
PF Zion Williamson
C Jonas Valanciunas
Statistical Leaders
Orlando Magic
PPG: P. Banchero (22.3)
APG: P. Banchero (5.3)
Reb/G: W. Carter Jr. (7.2)
New Orleans Pelicans
PPG: Z. Williamson (22.9)
APG: B. Ingram (5.8)
Reb/G: J. Valanciunas (9.1)
Coaches:
Orlando Magic: Jamahl Mosley (3rd season)
New Orleans Pelicans: Willie Green (3rd season)